Come learn about the human impact, the conservation movement, and the local species that have been de-listed in Massachusetts! Lots of hands-on and take-home crafts to enjoy!
This Family Flyby will run in conjunction with the Superbowl of Birding 2026. This competition is a big deal in the birding world, and the Joppa Flats Education Center is going to be brimming with avid birders! What a great opportunity to learn from folks with lots of experience!
Children ages 4-6 (and three year olds who are comfortable with the setup) are invited to come and play and learn with us for the next 6 Friday mornings. This class is playful, silly, and all about being a child, or a child pretending to be an animal. Each day, focus on a different one of our senses, and learn about local wild creatures that are really good at using that sense. Play games for using each sense, and imagine what it would be like to have super sense powers. Each day, create something original related to our sense exploration, and take it home.
Eagles, owls, and hawks, oh my! Beat the winter blahs with a high-energy search for birds of prey on Plum Island. We'll start things off at Joppa Flats with a short PowerPoint presentation and some homemade brownies and fruit. Then, we'll bundle up with radios and binoculars and head out to Plum Island to look for snowy owls, bald eagles, and various hawks over the salt marsh, in the dunes, and along the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge road.
What raptor is that flying overhead? How do birds stay warm all winter? Do you know how to identify an animal's tracks? Come find out as we guide you on a winter walk to keep minds and bodies active with group games, family challenges, and lots of great wildlife and bird sightings. We'll meet at Joppa Flats, then hop into our cars and head out for the day's adventure. All field equipment will be provided. Join us for one or more of these fun family programs during the holidays!
On selected Sunday afternoons through Winter, the refuge will be screening FREE, child-friendly films that feature a wildlife and/or environmental theme. All films will be projected on the big screen in the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium. No preregistration; simply show up! All movies begin at 1:30 pm.
Join the Interpreter too explore the tide pools at SSandy Point! We will be looking at ddifferent organisms that inhhabit the pools such as crabs, sand dollars, starfish, periwwinkles, and many more! Meet at the first parking lot near thee beach entrance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parking at Sandy Pooint is limited. All prograams are free and open to the public, and are being run as drop-in programs. Coantact Taylor Beaton for more information at 617.372.6730.
Spring is a time of renewal and growth. After-school activities include lending a hand with conservation work, eco-splorations, journeying as a waterdrop from land to sea, uncovering secret tales, journaling, mapping/orienteering, and hiking our forest, wetlands, and mountainsides. For kids ages 9-11.
On alternating Sunday afternoons through March, the refuge will be screening FREE, child-friendly films that feature a wildlife and/or environmental theme. All films will be projected on the big screen in the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium. No preregistration; simply show up! All movies begin at 1:30 pm.
On alternating Sunday afternoons through March, the refuge will be screening FREE, child-friendly films that feature a wildlife and/or environmental theme. All films will be projected on the big screen in the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium. No preregistration; simply show up! All movies begin at 1:30 pm.
